Terrible Tues-days

"Tuesday" has become a bad word in the Peel household. It makes for a very long day for all three of us. I spend all of 90 minutes with Harper on an average Tuesday. We have breakfast together before she goes to MDO, and then I see her for another 30 minutes between MDO and Nana's house. My goal is to leave Waco by 2:30 in order to arrive in San Marcos by 5PM. Class runs straight from 6:30 to 9:20. On the first Tuesday, I trekked all the way back to Waco, but it was a long and bumpy (construction) drive. I must have been midnight before I made it home. Ever since then, I've spent the night at Mikelle's place in Austin. It is really the only positive part of this routine! I especially enjoy farting and eating potato chips with my sister-in-law. It's really special. (By the way, Jeff, that is not what girls do when they get together. Well, unless your name is Alyssa.) On Wednesday morning, I wake up around 4:30-5:00AM to drive home. You should try it--it's like having your very own personal highway. IH-35 is a beautiful, quiet place at that hour. I'm in the kitchen drinking coffee and making breakfast before Jeff, Harper or Wrigley wake up. Thankfully, this song and dance will only last through this semester. I don't think I have the energy to make it any longer than that!

On the other hand, Tuesdays are always an adventure for Harper. She has the most fun at MDO--I'm really so glad she has taken to her teachers and classmates. Then she spends three or four hours at Nana's house before Jeff picks her up after work. They spend the evening together eating dinner and playing before its time for bath and bed. I really hate my side of this deal, but I think it is wonderful that Harper and Jeff get to spend this extra special time together. I imagine it isn't easy on him, but I'm grateful that he is willing and able to take care of her on his own. Thanks, Jeff!

While I really dislike Tuesdays, Harper must really enjoy them. She plays with friends at school, plays with Nana, plays with Wrigley and then plays with Daddy. Notice I didn't mention that she naps on Tuesdays? Oh yeah, it's because she doesn't! :/ Don't get me started on that...naps, naps, oh, how I miss thee! I sure could use 'em, especially on Weary Wednesdays!

Talk the talk

Harper and I had a conversation Wednesday morning before her playgroup birthday brunch. She had a lot on her mind!

Year in review

It seems absurd to think of all that has happened over the last year in the world...a complete collapse of our financial system, U.S. GDP shrank for the first time in seventeen years, hurricane recovery, election of a new president, swine flu, China hosted the Olympics, Jell-O brought back Puddin' Pops (I WISH!), Pam and Jim got knocked up...oh, and sweet baby Harper evolved from a lump of baby to a walkin', talkin' one-year old. Sheesh! (I've taken the liberty to omit certain events, however significant, from the above recap of the past year. I got distracted when I started thinking about the deliciousness that was Jell-o Puddin' Pops. Mmmm....)

I'm so proud to be her mother. I think I can speak on behalf of Jeff and say we are both incredibly proud to have her as our daughter. Our adventurous, spunky, stubborn, caring, cuddly, energetic, dancing queen, golf ball-lovin', 90 miles an hour, Evil Knievel daughter! Simply put, she is a nutcase, but I couldn't possibly love her any more for it. I see bits and pieces of myself in her, and I see bits and pieces of Jeff, too. I'm loving the way her personality is developing. She's, like, one of my coolest friends! (Ok, so maybe she is my only friend some days, but who's counting?) She is a tough boss with discriminating taste, and not all moments are good ones. But, I'll gladly take any of it in exchange for one of her warm hugs or high fives. What can I say? She's just Harper!

So, happy first birthday to my favorite little girl, Harper Elle Peel. Here's to many more!

The new family! Nice scrubs, Jeff.

I can't believe she ever weighed six pounds!

The MiniPeel becomes a little lady! She luh-luh-loves her birthday present! (Pats self on back...)

T-1 Days

Today is Harper's last day as an eleven-month old. I still find it unfathomable that she will turn one tomorrow. The last 364 days have flown by in a hurry... As if on cue, Jeff just walked in the door and exclaimed "you've kept a baby alive for an entire year!" I sure hope I get a prize! ;)

Abilene or bust...

We spent nearly six days in Abilene over Labor Day weekend. Jeff played golf for four days in a row, God Bless us all! Good thing there were plenty of rest stops along the way.

Yes, this is the above mentioned rest stop. If you can't tell, there is a rooster playing a horn next to a commode (such a nice way to say toilet).

One of these days I'll find time to post a slew of fun pics from our mini-vacay to Lake McQueeney and the Abilene trip. Some real gems, I tell ya! Like I said, one of these days....

While the cat's away...

...the mice will play. Or the mice/dogs will sleep. Something like that.

Dozer gets the special treatment while Mom is out.

This is what happens when an English Bulldog attempts to fit into the bed of a mini-Dachshund. Tight squeeze!

Your mom goes to college

Mother's Day Out -- here we come! Harper started MDO last Tuesday, and we both think it is awesome! No first day picture, but I'll give you two pics from her second day! What a deal, eh?

Harper's teachers said she was great both days. She played the entire time, barely looking up to wave bye when I dropped her off. I really think MDO is going to be great for both of us. For goodness sakes, last Tuesday was the first time I've been alone in our house in almost a year! (Jeff--that 30 minute errand to Best Buy with Harper was nice, but it hardly constituted as alone time.)

Aside from preserving whatever remains of my sanity, another purpose of Harper starting MDO is to free up time for me to work on my own school schtuff. As I mentioned before, I've re enrolled at Texas State (long live SWT!) to finish up my MPA degree. The capstone project for the program is rather intensive (though what master's degree isn't?), and it will require a substantial amount of my time and energy to make it to graduation in May.

Unfortunately, Harper has been sick for the last couple of days and will miss both installments of MDO this week. I had to drive to San Marcos yesterday evening for class, which meant Jeff left work early to play Dr. Mom. A two-hour trip (each way) to sit in class for three hours...ugh. I'm already behind...ugh. Can I say "ugh" again? To make matters worse, I came down with a stomach bug last night, and Jeff thinks he may have the flu. He is at the doctor's office right now, so hopefully he will come home with news that he has what we had and not the silly flu!

Keep your fingers crossed that I can catch up and still make this arrangement work for everyone. I, myself, am worried!